UCLA can no longer use 'top shelf'

LOS ANGELES – It almost seemed too easy last season, the way UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley could toss the ball high into the end zone, out of the reach of defenders, and into the giant, outstretched hands of tight end Joseph Fauria. With his faithful red-zone target towering over almost every defender, quarterback Brett Hundley had a saying about Fauria near the end zone.

"Put it on the top shelf where the kids can't get it," Hundley said.

Those top-shelf plays accounted for 12 touchdowns for Fauria last season – the most by a tight end in college football. And with Fauria off to the NFL in a few weeks, Hundley won't have the weapon he called his "safety net" roaming the red zone.

But different doesn't always mean worse. Just ask Darius Bell, the 5-11, fifth-year senior former quarterback tasked with replacing Fauria's production at "Y" receiver. He doesn't have nearly the same size Fauria does, a fact he's well aware of, but he does have the confidence. And Bell thinks his different skill set – he fashions his game after Broncos' slot Wes Welker – could help UCLA at least maintain last year's solid 82-percent success rate in the red zone.

"Filling his shoes, probably not going to replace 12 touchdowns from a 6-7 target," Bell said, "but there are things I can do better than he could. There are things he could do better than me, but my job is to go out there and do what I can."

"They're a little bit different in build, aren't they?" Mora added. "But Darius is nifty, and I think his quarterback background gives him a good feel for finding openings in zone. He's really in concert with Brett, knowing where to go and when to be there. It's just going to be different. The ball is going to be lower rather than higher, but it's OK."

The Bruins would finish the season in the middle of the Pac-12 pack in return yardage, but Thigpen's early success hid the lackluster effort that followed his injury, as a barrage of turnovers and poor execution plagued UCLA's return efforts down the stretch.

In the team's fifth practice of the spring, UCLA coach Jim Mora worked specifically on kick returns for a portion of the morning session. Wide receivers Kenny Walker, Devin Fuller and Ahmaad Harris and cornerback Fabian Moreau all took turns as the Bruins' lead returner.

The returner spot will likely remain up in the air for the time being, especially without a timeline of Thigpen's return. And for now, Mora is confident in the group vying for the job.

"I think we have some really good candidates. If Thiggy is back, he's certainly one that'll be good at it. I think Devin Fuller has a chance to be a good returner. Ahmaad Harris is back there. A lot of guys. Shaq is a good punt returner. But we'll see where that goes. ... It's not time to be concerned yet. It's time to evaluate right now."

MCCARTHY UPDATE

Former five-star defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy, who has struggled with knee injuries since his career began at UCLA, says his knees feel 100 percent right, and he should be evaluated by the Bruins' training staff soon. At this point, it seems optimistic that the once-elite prospect will finally get back on the field soon.

McCarthy also cleared up what position he'll be playing this season, as he was listed at defensive end before the spring. After losing 30 pounds since last summer, McCarthy will move over to nose guard and could push current starter Seali'i Epenesa.